RFC Student Spotlight - Sara

Student Spotlight

Each month we'll highlight people, events, or projects that inspire us.

This transcript is a candid response to the questions. Minor formatting adjustments have been made 

What was your experience like at RFC?

This is my first time going to jail and to prison. RFC helped me to deal with the stress and adjustment to being in jail. It gave me hope and a new set of life skills I may have never learned. It turned a very traumatic situation into one that I was able to deal with and have a bit of normalcy day to day.

What was the best thing about your experience at RFC?

The whole program is very valuable. It gives you a new set of life skills that most people don't and wouldn't have had access to in the real world. It helps you deal with the stress of being in jail. It gives you hope and a sense of self worth and confidence. I believe RFC gives a chance to people who thought they would never get an opportunity to achieve something.

What is it like being home?

I looked forward to my freedom, coming home and seeing the few friends I have. I looked forward to starting over at the time.

Everything has changed for me. My outlook on the future, and trying to make the right choices to stay home. I found out I have an illness that can be cured and I was looking forward to treatment but even that is hard to get.

What's the most challenging thing since coming home?

Life since being released has been a struggle, it's been even harder with the pandemic. After being released I have to start from scratch. I lost my home, clothes and every possession going to prison. I have no family and no one to turn to for help. It's hard to establish everything I have lost. I keep hope and pray for help to continue to get through everyday.

The struggles I have may seem small to others but it's even hard to keep food in the refrigerator. I can't get medical treatment, financial help, a stable living environment, staying away from people using drugs, clothes, personal hygiene, everything is a struggle. There are very limited resources for anyone in my position. If you're starting over, stay strong, it's been 4 months I have been home and still struggle for the basic necessities.

What do you look forward to most?

My goals for the next 6 months is to get through each day. To try and keep building my life from the ruins and not letting the struggle beat me. Keep the hope alive. That is all I can do is keep trying.

Any advice you have for people about working/ coming home/ cooking / etc.?

My advice to participants of the program is to cherish the opportunities it gives you. This program gives you life skills and job skills. Learn everything you can and always keep it with you. It's not just a culinary class, it's a chance that only you can make happen. I am grateful for this program. It saved me and gave me my worth back when it was stripped away.

I am one of the women from the first RFC Women's Program and I will forever be in contact with this program and with all the people that made it possible. Thank you to everyone who makes this program possible.

- Sara

RFC Student Spotlight - Tyres

Student Spotlight

Each month we'll highlight people, events, or projects that inspire us.

This transcript is a candid response to the questions. Minor formatting adjustments have been made 

What was your experience like at RFC?

My experience at Recipe for Change was very educational. It was hands on and most of all, fun.

What was the best thing about your experience at RFC?

I liked learning how to cut meat properly, knife skills, eating properly, and cooking different food. 

What is it like being home?

It's fun being home. I'm glad I'm out of that place and hope and pray everyone else will make it home.

What's the most challenging thing since coming home?

Trying to get a dentist and eye appointment sooner!  

What do you look forward to most?

I'm still fighting my case, so I look forward to winning that. 

Any advice you have for people about working/ coming home/ cooking / etc.?

Anybody coming home, please stay focused on what it is you want to do and do it. Thank you Recipe for Change. You did a lot for me and I appreciate everything you continue to do for the ladies and gentlemen that are incarcerated.

- Tyres

RFC Student Spotlight - Virgil

Student Spotlight

Each month we'll highlight people, events, or projects that inspire us.

This transcript is a candid response to the questions. Minor formatting adjustments have been made 

How has life been for you since being released? It's been good, I'm with my family. It would be great if I wasn't on house arrest. 

What did you look forward to the most about returning home? Being with my family, going to school or work, my bed, food, and internet 

How have things changed for you since you came back? My living arrangements. I'm living with my dad and stepmom, not my own place because I lived in Indiana. I have to be in Illinois while on house arrest, but I’ve got my own room. 

What struggles have you had? Getting permission to go to work and school. 

What changes have you seen in yourself since returning? I feel like I can make anything I want to eat if I have a recipe. Before I would have to go to a restaurant. I’ve gained weight lol. 

How did RFC impact your time in jail? It's a great program. They treated me like I was a human being. My stress level went down, it helped with depression, and I learned a lot from everyone. 

How has RFC impacted your time since being home? I got my food handler and managers certificate. They prepared me to go to culinary school. I love that the instructors still communicate with me. 

Each month we'll highlight people, events, or projects that inspire us. 

What was the most valuable thing you got from the program? I learned how to make pizza, that helped me. I was in charge of the pizza station at Sopraffina. I got my certificates. I learned to use a recipe, cook, and bake pasta and other foods. 

Are you working? Looking for work? I was working, but got laid off because of COVID-19. I am waiting on unemployment, but I have applied online for other work as well. 

What challenges did you face seeking employment? The email that the employer has to send to the sheriff's office just to get an interview. Not all employers want to do that, and I need a schedule every month emailed to the sheriff's office. 

Any advice you would give to participants who are starting the program? Give it a shot, you might like it. Learn as much as possible. They will help you if you ask, show that you're interested, and try all the food even if you think you might not like it. 

What successes have you had since returning home? I went to school at Chicago community kitchens, I did an internship at Sopraffina marketcaffe, I graduated, and then I got hired. 

What goals do you have for yourself in the next 6 months? I would love to be free of house arrest, get a really good paying job so I can pay my debt and pay for rent. I want to have my own apartment and lose weight. 

Virgil 

RFC Student Spotlight - Pedro

Student Spotlight

Each month we'll highlight people, events, or projects that inspire us.

This transcript is a candid response to the questions. Minor formatting adjustments have been made 

How has life been since being released?   

Since my release, life has been good. I have been blessed by having an amazing support system.

What did you look forward to the most about returning home?   

I looked forward to seeing my friends and family. Most importantly, my children, to show them mistakes, can be made in life, but you can make things and yourself better.

How have things changed for you since you came back?  

Things have been very different now that we live in a COVID-19 world. It was an adjustment, and after being inside for 8 months, it’s crazy how the world moves on without you, but I take it day by day.

What struggles have you had since your release?  

So far, my main struggle has been with the house arrest people; they are impossible to deal with, making it so hard to work. They don’t answer any calls, and it’s a miracle if you can get through. I tried calling for over 14 hours one day to get an answer and nothing. I had a job lined up, sent all the info they needed, and they never verified anything. I wasn’t able to get movement to start the job, and when they do answer, they treat you with such disrespect.

What changes have you seen in yourself since returning?     

I have newfound confidence I never had, and this inner fire in me that Chef Adriano and Chef Avril have given me to improve myself and follow my culinary career.

How did RFC impact your time in jail?  

The program made me realize there’s more to life than just jail. It was a taste of the real world while inside and gave me a sense of purpose while inside, not just sitting and doing time.

How has RFC impacted your time since returning home? 

RFC has inspired me to follow my culinary career and has opened my mind and palette lol. It has also helped me work so much harder to show off the program’s positivity and how much it can help and change a person.

What was the most valuable thing you got from the program?  

SELF CONFIDENCE AND WORTH.

Are you working?  

Yes, thank God I am the Bar/Kitchen Manager at Tommy’s On Higgins. Feel free to come by and say hi first drink on me nothing expensive please LOL.

What challenges did you face seeking employment? 

EM was and is very difficult to deal with they treat you with such disrespect and are so negative and make it so hard for people to find legit jobs

Any advice you would give to participants who are starting the program? 

My advice is to give it all your all 110%. RFC is here to help you and change your life. Do not let these bars and chains weigh you down. Everyone in the program is here to help you succeed in life. They will give you the tools, so take it and run with it and always work hard and never stop learning.

What successes have you had since returning home? 

My relationship with my family and children has never been stronger, and my career is on fire with offers from other restaurants/bars.

What goals do you have for yourself in the next six months?  

My main goal is to enroll in culinary school and to change the bar/grill scene with better food and new flavors, maybe even make Chicago’s Best one day.

I wanna end this by personally thanking Chef Avril and Chef Adriano. You both have changed my life for the better, and I will forever be indebted to you both and thank you to the whole RFC program and everyone involved. You are all the shining light in a dark world. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Sincerely,

Pedro

Success story of RFC student

Click here to read a great article about one of Bruno's students, Sergio Rodriguez and where he is at now.